Here are Chattanooga artist Lawrence Mathis' 1993 original drawings for the
Split Tree studio, which was originally slightly
smaller than the present 60' x 36' floor space--to which was added in 1996 an 8'
north deck and 10' south deck. The sliding glass doors were added in
Spring 1996, just before the Fool's Fest was moved from Hidden Hollow to Split
Tree. Prior to the glass doors, large blue plastic tarpaulins were
stretched between the 6x6 posts to keep out the rain; they were rolled up when
dances were held in the studio. Lawrence and Mada Mathis were very
generous and influential in the formative stages of what became Split Tree and
we deeply appreciate their contributions as volunteers and as neighbors.

Several people have asked about the floating floor itself and detailed
information can be obtained from John Prater of Prater Construction in
Chattanooga, TN (area code 423). Daniel Lee, a Chattanooga builder, was
the primary carpenter, assisted by Don Walker and many more volunteers, such as
the talented Karah Card in the photo above with Don. See more photos
on the Photo Album page for the
people who finished the floor on Thanksgiving 1996.

Briefly, the floor is of North Carolina 3rd-grade hard maple,
tongue-in-groove and cost about $5,000. Every 14th board is spaced
slightly to allow for expansion and contraction. Just under the maple is a
layer of roofing felt. This flooring is stapled to a layer of
1/2" CBX plywood. Under this diagonal layer of 4x8' plywood are
3x5" rubber pads, stapled underneath every 12 inches, starting 6 inches
from the edge (see photo at top). These hollow pads rest loosely on top of another diagonal
layer of 1/2 inch CBX plywood on top of a plastic vapor barrier. That
layer rests on the original 3/4" plywood flooring. The effect is that
of a springy gym floor and movement is easy on the feet, ankles, and
knees. The model we followed is at Ann Law's Barking Legs Theater in
Chattanooga, TN.

Volunteers laid the plywood and racked the maple flooring, then stapled it
during the last two weekends in November 1996. The Prater Construction Co.
was paid to sand and seal the floor with 2 layers of water based polyurethane
topping. The friction is perfect for both social dancing,
using soft-soled shoes, and body contact movement work. However, it would
not be suitable for classical ballet use with out resin, which we would would
not allow. The floor can be mopped with water periodically and is kept
clean with large dust mops.

The "floating" floor is primarily for full body movement work on
the floor, such as contact improvisation, and social dance, not for painting or any
activity that would add grit or risk paint falling on the floor. The glass
doors make it completely unsuitable for basketball, etc. The room is
heated with a large overhead propane, vent-free radiant heater. Double
squirrel fans in each gable vent warm air, and in 2000 air conditioning/heating
was added with on-top metal/foam roof insulation added in 2485.

The pages below are thumbnail GIF photos and are links to the full-size
pages.

Sid Hetzler Updated June 3, 2002

Page 1--list of drawings and decisions required.

Page 2--Northwest view of proposed addition (south and north decks were added
in 1996 for Fools' Fest and Vortex)
Open
space with Plexiglas still exists for cupola room but there is no plan to
add this.

Page 3--Floor Plan

Page 4--Foundation and Floor Framing Plan

Page 5--Roof Framing (36" width, cathedral ceiling)

Page 6--East View (hot tub was moved to North Deck, not shown in these
drawings)